The Quebec English School Boards Association
(QESBA) expressed its deep disappointment with and opposition to Bill 21, An Act respecting the laicity of
the State, which prohibits broad categories of government
employees, including public school teachers and principals from wearing
religious symbols.
“Bill 21 is a divisive and an unnecessary piece of legislation that can
only lead to societal discrimination. Once again, this government is claiming
there is a problem that clearly does not exist. Québec’s public schools have a proud record of inclusion,
of celebrating the different ways to be Quebecers and Canadians. Our teachers’
unions and our school boards have always found ways to strike a positive
balance between religious differences and common values. QESBA and its member
Boards would far prefer the government to be working with us to address the
real issues, such as student success and increased services in the classroom,
that matter to the future of the students,” said QESBA President Dan Lamoureux.
Going further than the 2008 Bouchard-Taylor report entitled “BUILDING THE FUTURE: A Time for
Reconciliation,” the draft law proposes to ban the wearing of religious symbols by
public sector employees in a position of authority, including teachers and
administrators in our schools. The fact that the prohibition would not apply to
current employees does nothing to make it more acceptable. The use of both the
Canadian and Québec
“notwithstanding”
clauses in Bill 21 is a clear indication that even the Government of Québec
recognizes that the proposed measures are an infringement on individual rights.
“Inclusion, inquiry and fairness are basic principles that guide the
teaching we do in all nine English school boards across Quebec. QESBA sees
nothing in Bill 21 that strengthens these principles. QESBA will insist on
presenting its thoughts on the key aspects of this bill when Parliamentary
Committee hearings are set. We will do so after speaking with teachers,
administrators, parents and communities served by our nine member Boards. We
will look at the draft law with a clear focus on what is best for our students
and employees and with a steadfast commitment to the values of openness,
tolerance and mutual understanding so crucial to our society,” concluded the
President.
A one-day Advanced Student Leadership Summit took
place at Laval Junior Academy on March 19, drawing hundreds of grade four to
grade eleven students as participants from Laval and other areas of the Sir
Wilfrid Laurier School Board’s territory.
According to SWLSB leadership program
consultant Daniel Johnson, 500 student leaders from 17 different schools
gathered at LJA to take part in the all-day event, dealing with the
environment, governance and many other current issues.
Spreading the TED message
The
summit was held leading towards
a “TEDX” learning conference in mid-April. TED stands for
Technology, Entertainment and Design, with X added to denote it is an
independent TED event following TED principles. TED is a U.S.-based media
organization which posts talks online for free distribution under the slogan ‘ideas
worth spreading.’
“It’s all about empowering and engaging the next
generation of leaders to be able to take positive action at their schools and
in their communities,” Daniel Johnson said in an interview with the Laval News.
He
said students from the SWLSB’s Joliette High School in the Laurentian community
of Joliette, as well as Laval Junior and Laval Senior academies, had been
working together to put on the event.
Many SWLSB schools
There
were students from Rawdon Elementary School in the Laurentians, SWLSB students
from Mountainview and Saint-Jude schools in Deux-Montagnes, and McCaig
Elementary in Rosemère. From Laval, students came from Saint-Paul, J.F.K.,
Genesis, Jules Verne, Souvenir, Hillcrest, Twin Oaks, and Terry Fox Elementary
School.
“This
is a showcase,” SWLSB chairman Paolo Galati told the Laval News. “We had one
student give his TED talk from last year so that everybody could see what TED
was about. So the schools can now take these TED talks, which are online, to
see them in their classes and teach with them. This is just one way that the
students are learning.”
‘Latitude and commotion
This
year, the TEDX Laval theme is “latitude and commotion.” The TEDX concept is
based on the idea that leadership instills confidence and helps solve problems
creatively, while contributing to team work and promoting collaboration between
people.
As
well, supporters believe that the opportunity to develop self-confidence in
problem-solving paves the way towards social and emotional development on a
life-long journey of trying to make the world – and the community – a better
place to live in.
SWLSB chairman ‘inspired’
“You
inspire me,” Galati told the students. “You are tomorrow’s generation of
leaders. Your actions and your dedication inspire me to be better, to do
better. Passion, purpose, listening and meaning help make a leader
inspirational. It is our role to help you become the best you can be. You have
so much potential. Anything is possible if you work hard and persevere.
“Be true to yourself,” he added. “Don’t be afraid do
dream big. Dream and continue to dream. And dream to be the best that you can
be. Enjoy every minute of this day and remember: If your actions inspire others
to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.”
‘Heed
the voice,’ says speaker
Katherine O’Neil, a nurse from Montreal who recently returned from Haiti where she was part of a group doing humanitarian work, addressed the TEDX student participants.
Katherine O’Neil, a nurse from Montreal who recently
returned from Haiti where she was part of a group doing humanitarian work, also
addressed the TEDX students. “In life we have a little inner voice that nudges
us along the path,” she said. “And sometimes we ignore that voice. It’s there
speaking to us, but we don’t actually stop to listen to it.”
She said that one thing she learned in life was that
“we take many detours, but we end up arriving where we’re meant to arrive. We
end up going where we’re meant to go.” Saying she went to Haiti to do
humanitarian work, she suggested to the students they could do the same thing
here if they wanted to. “We’re all called to do something,” said O’Neil, urging
them to “listen to that voice.”
Printed or digital, written words never go away. Plato, and others who preceded or succeeded him give proof-positive of the truth of this human endeavor. On a daily basis many are added to the record of efforts to reflect, showcase, attack, defend, or document this focal point of life – the ever-changing human condition.
Among these stellar souls of the written word, is Gary Nolan – incisive, unapologetic and thought-provoking author of several books including “Turning Ideas into Dollars” and “Four Outstanding Canadian Inventors” highlighting those who changed the lives of millions.
“Most of us have ideas that make us wonder if we could turn them into money,” Nolan told TLN in a wide-ranging interview expounding on the challenge of what it takes to convert ideas into reality. “Most of us don’t know what to do, where to begin, how much to spend, what the idea is worth, can it be licensed, and lots more,” he stated.
In an impressive 30-year resume Nolan acknowledges he has evaluated 2000 ideas, participated in 100 product launches, and landed some of his own products on Walmart shelves. But make no mistake, there was blood, sweat, and tears in his life-long pursuit of turning sparks of brilliance into flames of success. “I learned at the school of hard knocks, made costly mistakes that could have been avoided. I promised that at retirement, my first two books would relate to outstanding Canadians, Quebecers who changed the game, and how anyone can do it on a shoestring,” he stated, his tone manifesting both pride and humility in what he has accomplished.
“Turning Ideas into Dollars” is based on his time in the trenches covering about 200 activities. Chapters are followed by a one-page guides for creators or investors, keeping their projects on track. When snags pop up, Nolan can be contacted, at no charge, through information provided in the book.
Never short on words, Nolan articulated an array of insights
on his life’s passion for creativity and on his consuming desire to help others
turn their seeds into fruit-bearing trees. This is what he generously shared
with TLN.
What do you
offer inventors?
“I’m all about a one-stop invention service, where you can shop new ideas or inventions providing full transparency by keeping the inventor involved throughout the process. Whether it’s the first time trying to launch a new idea or whether you have pursued another route in the past, I will guide the inventor in the right direction and save him/her thousands of dollars. I evaluate, develop, research, and advise on intellectual property. I sometimes use sub-contractors who have to be very good. I deal with geniuses. I’m the developer. I’m very good at finding creative ways to market products.”
Gary Nolan demonstrating his two publications
What is an
invention assessment?
“I give thorough, confidential, and objective analysis of the invention, making specific recommendations to correct deficiencies, or abort the idea. Business potential is examined and verified with competing products. While the market for good patents continues to expand, it’s still inefficient, putting high premiums on sellers knowing how to market, then patent effectively. I will tell you if you have a chance.”
Should inventors
patent before going to marketing?
“No. 50% of patents aren’t accepted, 80% lack market potential; patents are very expensive. It’s complicated with lots of risk. That’s why people come to me for honest opinions. I advise and get involved, to the end, as part of the deal, in return for percentage of sales for services. The client has the last word. I’m the only one in North America who takes products from A to Z. I see the whole process and what the obstacles are. This is the advantage coming to see me.”
What is
your objective?
“Prevent people from being cheated. Dreams turn into nightmares when falling into the wrong hands. People invest the wrong way, then kill their ideas. I started this service because of scammers and lack of ethics.”
What are
the obstacles for inventors? Can youth do it?
“There’s risk involved for companies. Lots of business people don’t have expertise in products. Companies would rather sell what they already have than invest in something new.
Kids today live in a different world, needing encouragement, guidance, and knowing what they can do. Dreams are opportunities. With passion, energy, and spark they can accomplish something. More opportunities exist today but they have to know what they want. Young people would profit by reading ‘Turning Ideas Into Dreams’ “.
What would
you like to tell the readers and/or inventors?
“When you hit a wall, give Gary a call.”
Mr. Nolanwill be
at Indigo (Laval), April 6, 11am-4pm, to
answer questions, free of charge. His email: garynolan689@gmail.com
Classes
are also opening at Anglophone schools. Skeete is encouraging parents to take advantage of the
classes which are being offered for free. In all, 644 kindergarten classes for
four-year-olds should become available across the province in 2019-2020.
Bill
5 amendments
(TLN) Saint-Rose CAQ MNA Christopher Skeete says he is
pleased that six kindergarten classes for four-year-olds will be opening at
Francophone schools in the Laval region: at Eurêka,
Quatre-Vents/Monseigneur-Laval and Nouvelle école of
Laval-des-Rapides.
In February, the CAQ government tabled Bill 5 to amend
the provincial public education system. The new law will gradually broaden
access to full-time kindergarten for four-year olds whose parents choose this.
As parliamentary assistant to Premier François
Legault, with responsibility for
Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers, Skeete said he was also thrilled by
the scheduled opening of the classes for four-year-olds in pre-kindergarten at
these primary schools: Jules-Verne, Souvenir and John-F. Kennedy.
“This is incredible news for students and parents in
our region,” said Skeete. “Pre-kindergarten for four-year-olds, free and
non-mandatory, will allow for quicker detection and problem solving for
children having potential impediments to their development, while offering them
learning through play.
Four-year-olds
pre-k for all
“Over the next five years, our government wishes to
make pre-k for four-year-olds available for all children in Sainte-Rose and
Quebec,” continued Skeete. “I invite all admissible parents to register their
children for this service now in view of the next back-to-school.”
According to Skeete, an additional 250 classes are
expected in September 2019 for a total of 644 classes across Quebec.
Registration is taking place now for schools where pre-k for four-year-olds is
set to be available.
Beginning this fall, classes will be open to families
who are economically disadvantaged, although the criteria are expected to be widened.
The CAQ government hopes to make pre-k for four-year-olds available to all
families within the next five years.
The members of the executive committee recommend that Laval’s city council
adopts the final reports of the Governance Commission concerning the following
organizations: Laval Symphony Orchestra; Quebec Center for Biotechnology
Innovation; Corporation of André-Mathieu Hall ([co] motion); Multi-Sports
Complex of Laval; Eco-Nature; Regroupement du sport in Laval and Regional
Television of Laval. The mission
of the commission is to review the practices and procedures of non-profit
organizations receiving municipal financial assistance in order to reinforce
the three pillars of municipal responsibility through transparency,
accountability and sound governance within the targeted organizations. By-law
L-12293 constituting the Governance Committee was adopted at a special meeting
of City Council on Thursday, December 10, 2015 and was amended by By-law
L-12581, adopted at a regular meeting of Council on June 5, 2018. Previous
organizations that have been reviewed this past year include Cosmodôme; Club de
soccer Fabrose; Cité de la culture et du sport de Laval; Centre
d’interprétation des biosciences Armand-Frappier; Fondation Cité de la Santé;
Patinorama (Objectif Zénith); Tourisme Laval; Axion 50 plus; Corporation
du Centre du Sablon; Association de baseball Les Associés de Laval; Club de
patinage artistique de Laval and La Centrale des artistes
In 2017, the Commission met with 15 non-profit organizations that
reported on their use of the grants obtained from the City of Laval in 2016. In
fulfilling its mission, the Commission
can count on the support of the Governance Secretariat, which is responsible
for the stewardship of the Commission, and acts as an advisor to the Commission
and its Chair for all matters in governance.
Members of the committee include;
Stéphane Boyer who is the acting president and municipal councilor of Duvernay-Pont-Viau,
Isabella Tassoni municipal councilor of Laval-des-Rapides, Aline Dib municipal
councilor of Saint-Martin, Aglaia Revelakis municipal councilor of Chomedey
and Claude Larochelle councilor of Fabreville.
Construction of fire station 6
The executive committee forwarded a
recommendation for city council approval to award a contract of $ 648,344.02 to
VBGA Architects in exchange for integrated professional services for the fabrication
of architectural plans, specifications and the supervision during the
construction phase of the work as part of the building project of the new fire
station number 6.
Municipal subsidies
The executive committee has agreed to
award grants in the amount of: $40,000 to Bluff Productions for the research,
development and execution of its annual activities for the year 2019; $13,000.00
to the Laval Dynamic Athletics Club for the rental of specialized indoor spaces
for training purposes for the year 2019; $5,000 to the Sir Wilfrid Laurier
Foundation financial support program for the organization’s annual fundraising
galas and $5,000.00 for the Maison de Soins Palliatifs (Palliative Care
Hospice) Laval to support its fundraising gastronomic evening held on February
7, 2019.
Acoustic barriers on Highway 15
The executive committee ratified the
awarding of a $100,427.01 contract to WAA Montréal Inc. in exchange for the
professional landscape architectural services. The firm is expected to provide
technical assistance during the improvement and repair of the vegetation/landscape
acoustic screens planted on Highway 15 along Guillemette Street.
Appointment of rotating associate members to
the executive committee
Under the charter of the City of
Laval, the mayor may submit to the council for approval a proposal to appoint,
for a specified period, municipal councilors to assist the members of the
executive committee as associate councilor. The proposed schedule of associate
advisors includes: Mr. Gilbert Dumas from November 5, 2018 to April 19, 2019; Jocelyne
Frédéric-Gauthier from April 22, 2019 to October 4, 2019; Mr. Vasilios
Karidogianns from 7 October 2019 to 20 March 2020; Mr. Yannick Langlois from
March 22, 2020 to September 4, 2020; Mr. Eric Morasse, from 7 September 2020 to
19 February 2021 and Mr. Aram Elagoz, from 22 February 2021 to 6 August 2021.
Nomination of a street name
In accordance with the resolution of
the committee of toponymical number CT-2018-18, the executive committee agreed
to recommend to the council to name the track located on the projected lot 6
241 601 of the cadastre of Quebec “rue Léonise-Valois”. This approach
is consistent with the criteria of the toponymical naming policy to improve the
representativeness of women in Laval topology and takes into account the themes
established in terms of the street name system.
Aline Dib, Member of the Board of Directors of
the Union of Quebec Municipalities
The executive committee renewed the
term of office of Ms. Aline Dib, Municipal Councilor of Saint-Martin, as its
representative on the Board of Directors of the Union of Quebec Municipalities
for two years from April 1st 2019 to March 31st 2021.
Financial Agreement between the City and the
Quebec Center for Innovation in Biotechnology (QBIC)
The Executive Committee has forwarded
for City Council approval the financial assistance agreement negotiated between
the City of Laval and the Quebec Center for Biotechnology Innovation (CQIB).
The financial agreement aims to define the conditions for the payment of financial
assistance in the amount of $360,000 for the years 2019 and 2020. The CQIB has
played a role as an incubator in life science technology development for 23
years in Laval and has welcomed more than 50 biomedical startup companies in
Laval. Currently 10 companies are established in laboratories and offices of the
QBIC and employ more than 60 people in quality occupations.
Restoration of the André-Benjamin-Papineau
House
The Executive Committee has agreed to
award a contract of $62,925.82 (taxes included) to Les Consultants S.M. Inc.
for professional consulting engineering services related to the renovation and
restoration of the Andre-Benjamin-Papineau home. The contract includes the
preparation of plans, specifications and tender documents, the obtaining of the
required authorizations and certificates as well as the execution and
supervision of the construction works.
Development of the Maison des Arts parking lot
– Reduced mobility
The executive committee has asked city
council to approve a $498,657.50 (taxes included) contract awarded to
Excavation P. Dupras Inc. for renovation work on the parking lots of Laval’s
Maison des Arts. This work consists of redoing the access ramps and parking
facade of the Maison des arts. They no longer meet updated accessibility
standards for people with reduced mobility.
Financial assistance to promote the exports of Laval companies
The members of the executive committee have presented for city council approval the financial assistance agreement negotiated between the city and Quebec’s Ministry of Economy and Innovation (MEI) for the promotion of exports from the Laval region. MEI has agreed to renew funding for the City to allow for the continuity of service. This is intended to stimulate the exports of Laval companies. These services will be organized around the following axes: promotion of exports; organization of trade missions and access to services of government partners. The new agreement will cover the period from April 1st 2018 to March 31st 2021 and will include financing in the sum of $320,000 over the three years.
With
more than two years to go before the next municipal elections, Action Laval –
which lost its Official Opposition status in the last election – is claiming
the title once again following the arrival of five former Mouvement Lavallois
councillors in the Action Laval caucus – raising the total to six.
The
five new Action Laval councillors, Paolo Galati (Saint-Vincent-de-Paul), Daniel
Hébert (Marigot), Michel Poissant (Vimont), David De Cotis (Saint-Bruno) and
Isabella Tassoni (Laval-des-Rapides), are joining Aglaia Revelakis (Chomedey),
who was elected under the banner of Action Laval in 2013 and re-elected in
2017.
Strength in numbers
The
additions represent a major change in the composition of city council,
effectively making Action Laval’s six elected representatives the main
opposition group to Mayor Marc Demers’ administration – at least in terms of
numerical superiority.
“We
never made a secret of our intention to rally all the oppositions in Laval and
to create a single large team for the next election,” Action Laval interim
leader Achille Cifelli said during a press conference held last week at the
Embassy Plaza. “It was part of our plan. Now, we will move forward and offer
real listening to all Laval residents and, and most importantly, we will make
sure the administration acts in their interests.”
New leadership next year
The
plan calls for Cifelli to remain Action Laval’s interim-leader and president
until a new leader is chosen by the membership sometime next year. “With six
municipal councillors, Action Laval now becomes the main opposition force in
Laval,” he said. “The role of our party in the municipal council will change,
just as it will with the management of the city and various organizations.”
Chomedey
councillor Revelakis, who succeeded in keeping her head high while bearing the
Action Laval banner as the party’s only council member these past few years,
welcomed the rallying of her five colleagues to the party, as well as the
accession of the new caucus as the main opposition to the Demers
administration.
The new Action Laval team (from the left): Saint-Vincent-de-Paul councillor Paolo Galati, Marigot councillor Daniel Hébert, Chomedey councillor Aglaia Revelakis, interim-leader and president Achille Cifelli, Saint-Bruno councillor David De Cotis, Vimont councillor Michel Poissant and Laval-des-Rapides councillor Isabella Tassoni.
‘New chapter begins’
“Today
a new chapter begins for Action Laval,” she said. “We will be forming the
biggest opposition ever at city hall. United, we will be there to care for the
interests of our citizens and make sure that the present administration is
accountable for their actions. We will be building the party that will defeat
Marc Demers in 2021.”
Speaking
on behalf of the five new members of the caucus, David De Cotis (a founding member
of the Mouvement Lavallois and former vice-president of the Demers
executive-committee) said he and his colleagues considered it was the right
time to “turn the page” on their past political allegiances.
A fact-based opposition
“We
are now joining an organized and trusted team, with whom we share the values of
service to citizens, integrity and transparency,” he said. “We will continue to
defend the interests of all Laval residents. But we will be doing it in an
objective and responsible fashion by relying on facts.
“We
will be rigorous in our criticisms, but respectful in our approach,” added De
Cotis. “But mostly we will continue to listen to everyone in Laval. My
colleagues Isabella, Daniel, Michel, Paolo and myself we are turning the page
on the old political accusations. We are now members entirely of the Action
Laval party and its caucus.”
De Cotis won’t run for mayor
Answering
journalists’ questions, De Cotis maintained steadfastly that he was not
interested in running for mayor in 2021. “It’s something I thought about long
and hard,” he said. “When I entered politics it was really to serve the
citizens. I feel just fine as the district councillor for Saint-Bruno and I
will continue to serve my citizens well.”
While
four of the other Action Laval councillors also claimed they weren’t interested
in running for mayor, Michel Poissant responded “we will see” when prompted to
state whether he’d consider seeking the mayoralty.
Not ‘official’ opposition
Although
Action Laval has now become the largest block of city councillors who are
unaffiliated with the Demers administration, the Parti Laval (which has only
one elected councillor) will continue to be designated as the “official opposition,”
since they won that privilege in the 2017 election when they were the
second-place party with the largest share of votes.
While
the title also allows the Parti Laval to receive a budget of more than $600,000
annually to conduct research and to hire support staff, De Cotis said Action
Laval will be conducting research of its own using a team of dedicated
volunteers instead of salaried staff.
Antoine, who lives in Laval, is a member of The War Amps Child Amputee (CHAMP) Program.
The
Key Tag Service was launched after the Second World War so that returning war
amputee veterans could not only work for competitive wages, but also provide a
service to Canadians that would generate funds for the Association.
Each
key tag has a confidentially coded number. If you lose your keys, the finder
can call the toll-free number on the back of the tag or place them in any
mailbox, and The War Amps will return them to you by courier, free of charge.
The War Amps receives no government grants. With the public’s support of the Key Tag Service, the Association is making a difference in the lives of amputees by providing financial assistance for artificial limbs, peer support and information on all aspects of living with amputation.
Those who do not receive their key tags in the mail can order them at waramps.ca or call 514-398-0759.
Here is how the War Amps Key Tag Service works step by step.
One and all Irish for the day, among those who gathered at the Seniors’ Wellness Center on March 15 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day were Agape’s Kevin and Betty McLeod, Chomedey MNA Guy Ouellette, Laval-Les Îles MP Fayçal El-Khoury and Gail Campbell who inspired and helped organize the event.
Martin C. Barry
Although there may not be as many people of Irish origin
living in Laval as there were forty or fifty years ago, the least that can be
said is that on one day each year everybody in Laval is Irish – regardless of
their ancestry.
So it was at the Agape English-speaking
Seniors’ Wellness Center on March 15, when up to 60 seniors filled every chair
in the room (with a few more standing) a few days before St. Patrick’s Day to
commemorate the feast of Ireland’s patron.
A
wee bit of ‘Irish’
In keeping with longstanding tradition, there was
coffee laced with a “wee drop” to liven it a bit for this most hallowed
occasion. And the tables were laden heavily indeed with a great many dishes
prepared by diligent volunteers.
Among those who were “Irish for the day” were
Laval-Les Îles Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury. “On this special day, I wish Happy
Saint Patrick’s to all Canadians, particularly to all Irish,” he told the Laval
News, while adding that “Agape is doing a great job with the seniors.”
Irish
roots
Agape executive-director Kevin McLeod traces his Irish
ancestry back to Ireland itself. “My grandfather was born in Dublin,” he
explained in an interview with the Laval News. “If my grandfather had never
come here, I wouldn’t be here today.”
According to McLeod, the inspiration for the gathering
came from Gail Campbell along with some other seniors. “Word of mouth spread,
e-mails went out and the next thing we knew sixty seniors were showing up for a
party for St. Paddy’s Day which is wonderful,” he said.
One of the Montreal region’s leading manufacturers of
landing gear for the global aerospace industry got a financial boost from the
federal government last week when Marc-Aurèle-Fortin MP Yves Robillard announced a $1.2 million repayable
subsidy to Laval-based Mecaer America.
Among
the guests on hand for the announcement at the company’s facilities in Laval’s
industrial park were City of Laval executive-committee member and councillor
for Sainte-Dorothée Ray Khalil
(who was representing the mayor), and Consul General in Montreal for Italy
Silvia Costantini.
‘Centre
for excellence’
“I would say Montreal is becoming a centre of
excellence for landing gear,” said Christopher O’Neill, executive
vice-president for strategic business with the company, as he was greeting
guests arriving for the announcement and a facility tour.
In Laval alone, the list of manufacturers and
suppliers of elaborately engineered landing gear sought by major aircraft
makers includes Héroux-Devtek and Liebherr Canada. The latter company
opened a new facility on the edge of Autoroute 13 in October 2017 to produce
landing gear for the Bombardier C Series aircraft.
Landing gear for Airbus
Mecaer
America, which first opened its facility in Laval in 2002, manufactures landing
gears for helicopters, regional and business transport aircraft and military
training aircraft. Its largest landing gears are currently being made for the
Airbus A350 in conjunction with Airbus supplier Collins Aerospace.
Through
the financial assistance provided by Canada Economic Development for Quebec,
the company will be able to invest in new procedures leading to the creation of
a centre of excellence for the design, manufacture and qualification of its
integrated landing gear systems.
Among those helping to inaugurate Mecaer America’s new Mazak automated toolmaking machine (behind them) were Laval executive-committee member Ray Khalil, Mecaer America v.p. for strategic business Christopher O’Neill, Marc-Aurèle-Fortin MP Yves Robillard and Consul General in Montreal for Italy Silvia Costantini.
Economic benefits
According
to a statement from CEDQ, the creation of the centre of excellence and the
technological transformation of the Laval plant will generate benefits for
Canadian suppliers, from whom Mecaer America makes tens of millions of dollars in
purchases each year.
According to O’Neill, Mecaer America, whose corporate parent
(Mecaer Aviation Group) is headquartered in Italy, ranks around the middle in a
top-10 list of global landing gear makers. While the parent is involved in the
design of VIP interiors for helicopters as well as flight controls and landing
systems, O’Neill described the Montreal branch as the company’s “international
entry” into landing gear.
Creating
high-quality jobs
“There are 125 people here gainfully employed in
high-quality employment,” he said. “Annually we have $4- to $5-million in R and
D investment. So the company is fully committed to this facility in Laval.” O’Neill
said that most of the federal subsidy is paying for a state-of-the-art
computerized Mazak E-670 machining unit manufactured by Yamazaki Mazak Corp. of
Japan.
Since
the 1980s, Mazak has become one of the most important global suppliers of
sophisticated toolmaking equipment. The E-670 at Mecaer is one of the largest
automated machining units deployed in Quebec. A remaining portion of the
federal subsidy is being used to set up a hydraulic calibration centre for
landing gear tests.
“More than ever the government of Canada is determined to support innovation and economic growth,” said Marc-Aurèle-Fortin MP Yves Robillard.
Supporting aerospace sector
“In
line with our commitment to foster growth for the Canadian economy, the
Government of Canada’s goal is to provide better support for businesses that
are making investments to improve their productivity and ensure their growth and
that of the Canadian economy,” said Robillard.
“More
than ever the government of Canada is determined to support innovation and
economic growth,” he continued. “The global demand for production of aircraft
is in full growth. The assistance from the government of Canada will allow Mecaer
America to answer this need. The support by CEDQ will allow this business to
consolidate its position on an international scale, while pursuing its growth
by adapting to the demands of its clientele.”
Laval’s
key position
Khalil noted that Laval has a key role to play in the
aerospace industry in the Montreal region, since the city is geographically
well-located between Montreal and the North Shore, and is also just minutes
from Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.Khalil pointed out that more than 30 businesses that
are key players in sectors crucial to aircraft manufacturing “have chosen to
set up here in Laval. This is not a coincidence. Laval offers a first rate
location for business to the aerospace industry. There is also a healthy and
dynamic economic environment here and easy access to a highly qualified workforce.”
